Second Semester Review

Second Semester Projects:

Natalie M Fashion Show Poster:

This project was client work for junior committee to promote the Natalie M Fashion show which would help fund prom. On the poster I included the necessary information that allowed people to know what they fashion show was for, where it was located, and when it was. This project only took around two weeks since it was a simpler design. While designing the poster I didn’t face many challenges but when it was being sent off to print I faced some obstacles with the sponsor of the program. There were multiple issues with the poster being printed wrong and my designs were not correctly printed. Along the way I learned about how to deal with people who are foreign to the ideas and concepts of graphic design, I learned how to gently help them without getting to frustrated. After designing the poster I presented it to the committee and I was given feedback based on what they wanted on the poster and with that feedback I was able to change the concept and make it better than before. I changed the layout of the information because their were a few minor detail changes. After completing the project I was happy with my overall design but I wasn’t pleased with the way my poster looked when it was printed. Since it was printed wrong a lot of my poster design became disproportionate which was a bummer.

Travis Stewart Magazine:

This project was the second project assigned in second semester and yet it took the longest and had the most challenges associated with it. The basis of the project was to find a real graphic designer in the KC metro area and then interview them and finally make a magazine spread over them and their work. This project took around two months to finally complete. Some of the challenges that I faced was that about halfway through the project the server crashed and I lost all my progress on the project. So a lot of the class had to basically start from scratch again which was very frustrating. Another challenge that I faced was that I was struggling to push out of the grid, I stayed within the oxes and I had to work very hard to add more of my own creative flair to the project and make it my own. As I worked through the project I learned how to create a document for a magazine in Adobe In Design since this was one of my first projects using the software. I also learned how to push my creativity and not get stuck within grids and columns. Along the way I was given lots of useful feedback that helped me push my concept. I got multiple critiques on not staying within the grids. Based on that feedback I worked harder to make the magazine my own while also basing the design style on my designer that I interviewed. Overall my opinion of this project was mixed. When I started the project I was very excited to try something new and I really enjoyed the project up until he time of the server crash. After the server crashed I didn’t enjoy the project as much because I was struggling and I didn’t want to start over. After I completed more of the project I began to enjoy it more because it was a foreign topic and something that I had to learn how to improve on. By the end of the project I enjoyed learning how and I was also happy with the way my magazine turned out, but I do wish that I had pushed my creativity a little bit more.

Prom Posters:

The next project began in March because Olathe Northwest was nearing prom night. This years theme was a 1920’s jazz theme that was named “A Touch of Jazz”. This project took around three weeks to fully complete. Some of the challenges that I faced as I completed the project were that we were pressed for time and we were all struggling to get it done on time. Another challenge that I faced was trying to have originality and uniqueness with my poster and help it stand out from everyone elses. Through his project I learned more about how to create a poster that is both informative and visually appealing. Some of the feedback I received throughout the project was that it blended in too much with everyone elses and that I should expand my comfort zone and try something else. Using this feedback I changed my entire poster concept and reverted back to my original idea and designed my poster based on that. Overall I am happy with how my poster turned out even though it didn’t get picked. I liked the uniqueness to my concept.

The Aviary (ONW Lit Mag):
Throughout the semester I worked on designing the cover and the layout for the Aviary. This project took the entire semester because it was a very long and extensive project. Some of the challenges that I faced throughout the semester was working with some hard people who were indecisive on what they wanted and I had to make around fifteen different copies of the magazine before they were satisfied. Even with the challenges that I faced I learned very valuable lessons throughout the semester. I learned how to work with people who don’t know what they want and I also learned how to stay calm through frustrating critiques and through constant emails asking me to change more things. Some of the feedback that I received throughout the semester was this including changing the cover design, changing the overall layout of the lit mag, and small things like title changes or insertions or deletions.  After finishing the spring edition of the Aviary I feel very relieved and less stressed about it. This project was very stressful and I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to, but I did learn valuable lessons.

OASIS Branding:

This project included creating a company or service and from their branding it. Branding included web ads, infographics, merchandise items, tickets, a brochure, a billboard, and more. This project took around one month to complete fully. Some of the challenges that I faced throughout the project was the lack of creativity as the project went on. I found myself struggling to come up with design ideas that reflected the company and also looked unique. Another problem that I faced was the lack of motivation. As the end of the year was approaching I also found myself struggling to put my best effort into every piece of the project. As I faced the challenges I also learned how to combat the lack of motivation and also how to extend my creativity even when it was hard. I received feedback on different pieces of the project and it was helpful to get other people’s opinions and perspectives after staring at the same screen for a long time. Overall I am very pleased with how my project turned out. There are some pieces of the project that I could have done better but I am overall pleased with how the company’s brand looks. I am extremely proud of my brochure because I put a lot of effort into it since I have never created anything like it before.

KC Metro Logo:

This was the final project of my junior year and it was to design a logo for the KC Metro College expo and they would choose their favorite. It took around two weeks to complete and during the process I faced the challenge of having very little information to go on. We were given very little information about what the event was and on what the company wanted. So based on that it was very interesting to have complete liberties to design whatever I wanted. Along the way  learned how to create something from little information and I also learned how to push my comfort zone and design something that I usually wouldn’t design. Some of the feedback I received was on the layout of my logo and how to make it the best it could be. After receiving the feedback i did change the layout of the logo and moved some things around. Overall I really enjoyed this project and I thought it was exciting to design something that had the possibility to be chosen to be used in the downtown area.

Time Management, Strengths, Weaknesses:

I feel as though I used my time very well in class this semester. I was able to take advantage of the time I had in class as well as time during power 50. I was able to get all of my projects done and turned in on time and I also was able to work on numerous client work projects after finishing class projects. After I feel that I have completed a project to the best of my abilities I worked on another project that I had whether it was client work or a second in class assignment. Outside of class projects I worked on  numerous client projects that I had. I worked on the Lit Mag, posters to promote events, and now I am currently working on a high school retreat logo along with a BBQ logo.I feel as through my areas of strength as a graphic designer is to create visually appealing work that has a nice layout along with nicely paired fonts. I feel that I am also strong at communication because whenever I need help or advice I would go to my peers for help and it would in return strengthen my project and make it better because I sought out others perspectives. I think my weaknesses include working with difficult clients. I feel as though I have improved with this but I still struggle to work with people when I don’t see eye to eye with them and I can get easily frustrated. Throughout this semester I learned how to deal with that frustration and remain calm when working with people who are hard to communicate with.

Overview:

Overall my favorite part of this semester was working on the magazine spread because it was something new that I have never done and I enjoyed being pushed outside my comfort zone. I also really enjoyed working with a professional graphic designer and learning about his work day and routines since that is what I would like to do in my future. The only things I would do differently is that I would try to push my comfort zone and creativity a little bit more. Throughout the semester I have learned how to design new types of products including brochures and magazines. I also have learned how to use Adobe InDesign more and expand my knowledge of that software. A goal that I have for next semester is to continue to expand my creativity and learn new graphic design skills.